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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsDISTRONIC
PLUSCurrently
Unavailabl
e See
Operator's
ManualThe DISTRONIC PLUS is temporarily unavailable.
The DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated because:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille is dirty
R its function is impaired as a result of heavy precipitation
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative due to
electromagnetic interference near television and radio
transmitter stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.
R the radar sensors do not sense any other vehicles or
objects, i.e. road sign or similar to this, for a long time
R the system is out of the operating temperature range
R the battery voltage is insufficientXIf necessary, clean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the
radiator grille ( Y page 263).XRestart the vehicle.XTry activating the DISTRONIC PLUS again later.XWait until the system is within the operating temperature
range or the battery recovers.
The DISTRONIC PLUS becomes operational again without the
engine being restarted when:
R dirt on the radiator grille has fallen off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)
R the system recognizes full sensor availability (due to
lessening rain or the road surface drying)
R the message in the multifunction display disappears
DISTRONIC
PLUSInoperativ
eThe DISTRONIC PLUS is malfunctioning.
The BAS PLUS and the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake are also not
available.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.DISTRONIC
PLUSOverrideYou have accelerated. The DISTRONIC PLUS has switched off.XStop accelerating.280Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?Coolant
Low Stop
Vehicle!
Turn
Engine OffThe poly-V-belt could be broken.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XCheck the poly-V-belt.XIf it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this
message displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.XDrive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.?The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.
If the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XAvoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving
uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.XHave the fan replaced as soon as possible.#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronic systemXStop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so and check the poly-V-belt.XIf it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display297Practical hints212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 297Z
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ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?The red coolant
temperature
warning lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running.There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently, there is a leak in the
cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric radiator fan may be
broken.XImmediately add coolant to prevent engine from overheating
( Y page 226).XHave the cooling system checked.XIf the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you can
continue driving to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.XAvoid high engine loads (e.g. driving uphill) and stop-and-go
driving.?The red coolant
temperature
warning lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running and an
acoustic
warning sounds.The coolant temperature has exceeded 248‡ (120†).XStop in a safe location as soon as possible and allow the engine
and coolant to cool down.GWarning!
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
! The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248‡
(120†). Doing so may cause serious
damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.What to do if …311Practical hints212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 311Z
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XConnect negative terminal ? of charged
battery B with negative terminal A with
a jumper cable. Clamp the cable to
negative terminal ? of charged battery
B first.XStart engine of the vehicle with the
discharged battery and run at idle speed.
You can now turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not switch on the
headlamps under any circumstances.XRemove the jumper cables from negative
terminals ? and A first.XRemove the jumper cables from positive
terminals ; and =.
You can now switch on the headlamps.XSlide cover : from positive terminal =
back.XHave the battery checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
GWarning!
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle is to be towed.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or front axle raised (except vehicles with
4MATIC) only so far as necessary to have the
vehicle moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
R Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
R Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
i If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
( Y page 336) or “Jump starting”
( Y page 338).
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